Costco reported a great bottom line: a 20% year-over-year increase in earnings per share. It also showed a 7% increase in same-store sales, well better than its competitors.

It is planning for 30 new stores for 2013, a 5% overall increase. It also plans for 25% store growth in Asia, and it's not yet even entered China, Bos says.

Costco is known as a very customer-friendly store, Pino says. It's also been very shareholder friendly. The company has issued a one-time $3 billion special dividend and plans about $500 million in share buybacks in the coming year, Bos says. That's good news for investors, since the buybacks will happen at a time when Costco stock is not cheap.

That investor friendliness has helped Costco shareholders wallop the market. The stock has returned 11,000% over the past two decades. However, with prices near all-time highs, is the ride over for Costco investors? To answer that, we've compiled a premium research report with in-depth analysis on whether Costco is a buy right now and why. Simply click here now to gain instant access to this valuable investor's resource.